FRIG HAS CONDENSATION

[yachtsea]

We have a 50DS and are having 2 problems. The main refrigerator is sweating at the top lid. We checked the gasket by doing the "see if the dollar slips thru" past the gasket and it did. So for a fix we removed the lid holder and it helped some but still having the same problem. Second problem is the freezer is building up with ice; so much that the door to it can't be opened. This is happening in spite of the fact that we haven't used the refrigerator much, so no excessive lid opening to blame.

[DUET]

Interesting. I pick up my new 50 DS in two weeks. Because I'll be in the hot Chesapeake, I'll report to you my experience. Usually, the problem (on my Cambria) is a loose top letting in outside air. Good luck.

[yachtsea]

MMMMMMMMMM the Chesapeake. Try out the Wye River there is always a good place to tuck in and buy crabs form a local crabber. Keep in touch would like to hear about your new 50 we have hull #100. We might be able to help with some of the new boat bugs.

Gary

[DUET]

We'll be on the Bay for most of September. Will be in the Annapolis/St. Michaels area. Definitely will do the Wye River. Thanks for your input & offer to help debug.

[acepjb]

I have a 2009 45 DS and have been experiencing the same issue for the past two seasons.

[sailingpages]

Hi,

Um, yes... good luck with that. We've lived aboard our Jeanneau 36i for 2 years. Although we complained about the fridge seal to the dealer upon new, there was no result in getting this fixed. As such, we mop the top lip out with a sponge every 2nd time we open it to stop the condensation dripping down into the ice box (and consequently freezing shut). The issue I perceive is that the seal doesn't actually prevent moist air from reaching the cool part of the lip that the lid sits on. Moisture then condenses on this part of the lip... when you open the fridge it runs inside.

No solution sorry. Have looked at a seal further upwards but just not practical.

Cheers,
Geoff.

[jpagan]

I too have condensation issues with the fridge and freezer. I have contacted Jeanneau, but received no help. I am waiting for the technical data to remove and replaced the box completely. I am convinced the box is poorly insulated, and because it is made of plastic it is also cracking. Moreover the corian is warping causing the box lid not to fit properly thus allowing outside air to get in. I will most likely make the box from one inch starboard or similar material.

jp

[DUET]

Well, I now have my 50 DS and have been to the Wye river thanks to Yachtsea. Condensation. Right on. The freezer is fine, maintains a temperature of 22 degrees. However, the refridge ices up, particularly at the ice tray compartment. To open, I have to chop away the ice. It does stay at 39 degrees. Both these units use a lot of power, but then again that's what the genset is for!

[yachtsea]

Hi Dewittcap

Will you be at the Annapolis show? Would like to hear some of your input on the new boat if you have time.

Gary
[e-mail]

[DUET]

Dear Yachtsea:
I'll be at the show all four days. My 50 DS is the showboat, DUET. Look forward to meeting you.

[DUET]

Dear YACHTSEA:

You can reach me @ [e-mail]. I'm at the show now.

[leecondell]

This fridge condensation problem is widespread on the 45DS and 50DS and is largely caused by the bottom lip onto which the seal is supposed to sit not being flat, hence the seal doesn't seal. After lots of experimentation we have resolved the problem by doing two things 1/ fitting a thin rubber stick-on seal on the bottom surface to absorb the non-flat surface and mate with the factory fitted seal, and 2/ having Jeanneau send us replacement struts on yachts older than about 12 months. Jeanneau have changed the recently changed the specification and position of the struts so that they hold the lid down better. Your dealer will be able to get the details and photo's of the new mounting points from the factory.

Best Regards

Lee

[yachtsea]

Lee

Are you talking about the inside box lip at the top of the box itself or the lid? Please be as specific as possible with regards to the location so I can look into ours. TY

(bottom lip onto which the seal is supposed to sit not being flat)

Gary

[deandavis1]

I have had and continue to have a lot of problems with the fridge on my DS45 as follows:

1. Struts replaced twice.

2. Fridge was sinking and exposing large gaps around it. Dealer put a bracket on and sealed with sealant which is attracting mould.

3. Same problem with door seals not making. Dealer put a black rubber around the surface to mate with the seal which looked dreadful and resulted in the main seal compressing flat, both now removed and new problem of finding a seal.

4. Condensation leaking into the floor area under the fridge. This has been really hard to identify and fix. I ended up taping an iPhone on video record to a pole and pushing it up to try and find the problem. It looked like a gap between the pipes entering the top of the fridge. I took the Freezer down and sealed it but the problem persists.

I have been looking for a new fridge seal with no luck and condensation under the fridge remains an issue.

The issue of the door seal not making near the freezer seems to be due to the lid bowing. If you run your hand over the top it is noticeable.

[caoimhin]

I had the same problem. I got a rubber seal from an old fridge and placed it on top of the original seal.This did the job

[mkremedy]

Have you adjusted the thermostat dial typically located near the freezer section. If this is set to the coldest setting you will get frost inside teh freezer. If you run the refrigerator/freezer continuously it will cause the frost to form. Do you remember to put the drain plug inplace at the bottom of the refrgierator. If you leave the plug out the cold air continues to exit the refrigerator and the system has to work overtime, causing the frost to form.
Happy Sailing,
mkremedy

[DUET]

I have addressed the problem by taking window insulation strips (1/4" grey) and sticking to existing freezer & refrig rubber insulation. Additionally, on each unit, I applied (1/2" white) window insulation directly to the inside lips. Results have been pretty good, virtually eliminating the frost issue. After a month aboard, the freezer started to develop some frost. On both units, I have been using a blanket (insulation covered with reynolds wrap type material) from a Canadian company. Units are cycling less now. Insulation on these boxes is quite good. In 75 degree water, the freezer stays at about -3 and the refrig about 38. To be fair, my freezer is keel cooled.

[johnnyboy]

what brand refrig do you all have?

[cpetku]

Oct 3, 2012 5:24:07 GMT mkremedy said:

Do you remember to put the drain plug inplace at the bottom of the refrgierator. If you leave the plug out the cold air continues to exit the refrigerator and the system has to work overtime, causing the frost to form.

Interesting, I never considered that I might be causing my fridge extra work. Has anyone considered implementing a trap (like under the home kitcen sink) to block the loss of cold air but allow the fridge to drain continuously?

[DUET]

The unit on the 45 DS and 50 DS is the Frigoboat. Good customer support in Annapolis.

[Deleted]

The problem seems to common with all Jeaneau's. I have all the same problems on my 45DS. The bigger problem is really with Jeanneau, which as a company is not responsive to customer feedback/post sales support needs. When you think about it, refrigeration problems in this day and age should simply noy be an issue.